THE COAL CREEK BOYS - THE WOLF AND THE BEAR

2017 - Self released

This album by The Coal Creek Boys confirms what I suspected when reviewing their 'Out West' album of two years ago and that is, they are a totally unique band, despite the fact that there are recognizable similarities to a number of other great bands. Many people will pick up on those incredibly loose similarities but like me will realize they are just influences that the band may not even be aware of. It's fairly obvious they have absorbed many musical influences through their lives, like the rest of us many of those will have been unwittingly soaked up, and perhaps almost unknowingly blended them all into a completely individual sound entirely their own. Each of these nine songs are both expansive and cinematically epic with a barely credible enigmatic depth that even I, a fan, never knew existed in their stunning music. The first influence that came to mind was 'Copperhead Road' era Steve Earle, and then strangely but immediately followed by U2 all mixed up with the 'rurality' of 'The Band.' As I said it is an album that includes an epic quality throughout and keep in mind, this is not a five piece band but a trio, although even more surprisingly this recording (there are two this year!) was produced, recorded, engineered, written by and all performed by John Paul Smith alone, and why? The reason is simply that the vision he had for the album was too difficult to explain to the other band members, something that anyone hearing this collection will easily understand and be warned, it will take time to get the full complexities of some of the songs but the rewards are there for all to hear on this recording that is far from 'easy listening' but is incredibly easy to listen to! However, the 'Boys' do still exist as a band, in fact they worked together on their 'other' 2017 recording, the nine song 'mini album,' The Tall Pine,' (which clocks in at 37.21 whilst 'The wolf and the bear' is about five and a half minutes longer) on which there are some equally incredible songs that are again epic in scope. On the 'Tall Pine' John Paul played banjo, guitars and bass, Dino Scavo, accordion and mandolin and Sam Leszczynski was on drums. To be honest I would like to have delved deeply into both albums, such is the quality, but time dictated I should try to concentrate on just one but potential listeners will not regret purchasing both! Perhaps the expansive, epic quality comes from the fact that Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, home of the Coal Creek Boys and where they grew up in the wide open spaces of a homeland that in many ways echoed parts of the Appalachians with its coal mining communities, but quite how the inspiration was found that enabled the introduction of such a deep, almost experimental quality to the songs, several of which have a virtual improvisational feel, beggar's belief! There was no prior warning of this but it is most welcome. It is an album that has great depth and powerful dark elements allied to some memorable melodies and excellent playing. In some ways there are strong old time 'hillbilly' elements that are well, if unknowingly, disguised but do creep into the music giving the songs a timeless quality that in some cases includes the 'otherworldliness' of the hillbillies of ninety something years ago. The atmosphere is usually deep, dark and intensely dramatic, creating a strange haunting beauty that very occasionally lightens up a little when we're treated to a sparse arrangement that creates an alternative beauty, letting the listener know that there is little in the depths of country music's sub genres that John Paul can't play, ultimately producing a unique recording that sits in an equally unique sub genre of its own. That, in my opinion, is what most listeners will focus upon and lose themselves in; the thought that this is a completely unique concept that in so many ways ignores its own influences and sits in a world of its own making. John Paul's lead vocals are deep, powerful and incredibly evocative bringing believability, warmth and great depth to every syllable he utters, whilst the arrangements and playing on these nine tremendous tales couldn't possibly be bettered, leading to rewards for the listener that will still be revealing themselves far into the future. The subject matter is incredibly broad but rooted in the harshness and history of life for the poor rural and coal mining communities. One song, My fathers son is built around war, a consequence of human folly that is always paid for by those with the quietest political voices and the lowest incomes with the effects knocking on to future generations, non specific but as with so many of the songs, the atmosphere that is created guides the listener into the depths of an unknown world. Moonshiners way tells of the harsh decisions that had to be taken when confronting the laws of the day in an effort to get out of the poverty trap, again not overtly specific, but creating a rich yet harsh atmosphere. Tennessee line is a song of stunning beauty with just voice, acoustic guitar and mandolin producing a tale of great depth and power. In many ways, whilst the songs are lyrically powerful, they are overwhelmed by the depth of John Paul's vocal projections and the hugely important arrangements that increase the depth and power exponentially. I suspect that some of these songs are reflections on past lives that John Paul has heard about, perhaps even family members, in small rural communities and whilst the album is almost impossible to pigeon hole as 'country' it's rural roots probably go far deeper than those on some the so called modern 'classic country' recordings. The fact that two albums are being released at the same time could work against them. Many will think The Tall Pine is an afterthought when the reality is anything but, with it being an incredibly powerful album in its own right. Whilst I think 'The wolf and the bear' is an extraordinary album the same can be applied to The Tall Pine and I can't help but wonder if perhaps the release should have been staggered or maybe even made a double album of these eighteen songs. Whatever the choice the Coal Creek Boys will either have released two of the best 'roots' albums of the year or perhaps the best double! Either way, it's a win win situation for us listeners!